Pupils plant thousands of flowers in trust garden

Gardeners at Montacute House have planted 60,000 snowdrop bulbs over three weeks with the help of volunteers

School pupils have been helping to plant 60,000 snowdrop bulbs at a National Trust property.

Gardeners at Montacute House, Somerset, along with staff and volunteers have spent three weeks working to create a dazzling display for spring.

Children from All Saints Church School, Montacute, lent a hand digging about 12,000 holes and planting bulbs.

Head gardener Chris Gaskin said: "We couldn’t have done it without people giving their time, and hopefully when they come back to see the display, they can be satisfied with their hard work."

"I liked digging the hole and then counting how many bulbs we put in. We had to put in five," said one pupil.

"I thought the demonstration of how to plant the bulbs was very good. The staff were kind and helpful," said another.

Montacute House is well-known for its beautiful daffodil and tulip displays each year, but the snowdrops will add some seasonal variation across the garden for visitors to enjoy in the earlier months of the year.

The mass display will be under the trees on Cedar Lawn, which visitors pass through when they leave the garden.

The bulbs were partly funded by a bequest from a "much-missed" volunteer

Mr Gaskin continued: "The bulbs have been partly funded by a bequest from a much-missed volunteer.

"We have been quite bold with the number of them.

"It has been hard work, but as we emerge from winter, the carpet of white under the large cedar trees will help signify new beginnings and hope for many people."